Eastern Michigan Athletics
WEMU Announces 2019 Football Broadcast Crew
7/24/2019 4:03:00 PM | Football
Tom Helmer joins the team, as Matt Shepard and Rob Rubick also return to the booth
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University Department of Athletics and WEMU (89.1 FM) announced today, July 24, its broadcast team for the 2019 football season. Tom Helmer, 23-year broadcast veteran, will join the crew and work along side familiar voices Matt Shepard and Rob Rubick.
"We are delighted to welcome Tom to the WEMU broadcast team," said Molly Motherwell, the General Manager of WEMU. "His experience and enthusiasm are a great fit for us. We're also thrilled to have our longtime announcer, Matt Shepard, back for the Mid-American Conference season. He, Tom, and Rob are a great crew."
Helmer, a native of Saline, Mich., will contribute in numerous ways during the 2019 campaign including play-by-play, reporting, and contributing to the Eastern Insider Podcast. A veteran with 23 years with of experience, Helmer has worked the sidelines for FOX NFL Sunday, hosted the Colorado Rockies' pre-and-postgame shows, and hosted various studio shows involving the Denver Broncos as well as college football, basketball, and hockey.
Shepard, who became the primary play-by-play voice of the Detroit Tigers prior to the 2019 season, will re-join Eastern's broadcast team after the Tigers' season is completed. Shepard first handled EMU football play-by-play duties during the 1999 season. He returned in 2002 and held the post ever since.
Meanwhile, the 2019 campaign will be the 20th year for Rubick as part of the EMU broadcast team. Following a seven-year career as a tight end with the Detroit Lions, Rubick has established himself as a superb analyst, providing detailed and pertinent commentary from an insider's perspective.
"I grew up seven miles from Rynearson Stadium," mentioned Helmer. "The first college game I ever attended was at Eastern Michigan. I don't feel like I'm accepting a job, I feel like I'm reuniting with family. Knowing that EMU is building something special, to be asked to be the voice of that program is a dream come true for me."
Helmer began his career in Los Angeles, Calif. as a producer for nightly sports reports, and has served in a multitude of roles throughout his career. He was a play-by-play voice for Fox Sports calling both Big 12 Conference and Pac 12 Conference games. Helmer has also been on the call for NCAA Division I men's and women's contests, Arena League Football games, and hosted the nationally televised Fox Sports Net Baseball Report, BCS Breakdown, and the BCS Ratings show.
Helmer won multiple Emmy Awards for Fox Sports Rocky Mountain and also one for KCAL-TV leading up to 1994 World Cup.
"I am honored and excited to return to the EMU football booth and help represent the school and WEMU," added Shepard. "Coach Creighton has given us unprecedented access and been incredible to work with. I am privileged to work with one of the best analysts in football and one of my best friends, Rob Rubick, along with the entire EMU football community."
Labeled the "busiest voice in Michigan sports," Shepard was the 2018 recipient of the Detroit Sports Media's Ty Tyson Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting. Born in Farmington Hills, Shepard is a two-time Emmy Award winner and two-times MSBA Michigan Sportscaster of the Year, on WDFN, Fox Sports Detroit, Big Ten Network, and the Detroit Lions Television Network covering professional, collegiate and high school sports in the Michigan and elsewhere since the 1990s.
A nearly lifelong Michigan resident, Shepard graduated from North Farmington High. He played baseball at North Farmington and was a baseball team walk-on at Eastern Michigan before transferring to Central Michigan University for his junior and senior college years.
Before being named the voice of the Tigers in 2019, Shep was a utility man at FSD doing everything from studio hosting, sideline and feature reporting, to play-by-play. He called CCHA Hockey on Fox, Big Ten Network hockey, MHSAA championships (football and basketball), and numerous other exciting games. He worked at WWJ-AM Radio from 1993-2001 and has hosted radio shows on WDFN-AM 1130 dating back to 2001. Previously, he stepped in for Tigers, Pistons, and Red Wings play-by-play when asked to.
"I welcome Tom Helmer to our broadcasts," Shepard said. "It shows you what an attractive position this is, when such a highly decorated and well-respected professional like Tom wants to return here and be part of this close-knit team."
Rubick was initially a football walk-on at Grand Valley State University before be became a starter at tight end during his freshman year. A native of Newberry, Mich., he played on the Laker's 1978 and 1981 GLIAC championship teams and in the 1978 NAIA Division I Football Championship Playoffs. He was the Laker career reception leader, catching 80 passes for 1,455 yards and 6 TDs. Rubick was named to the 1981 All-GLIAC Football Team. A 12th round draft pick in 1981, he went on to play seven years in the National Football League with the Lions.
Rubick's broadcasting resume includes analyst work for the Detroit Lions, Grand Valley State University, Detroit Fury, Mid-American Conference, and MHSAA game broadcasts. Rubick received a master's degree in education from EMU.
"In my opinion Matt Shepard is irreplaceable, but I feel the broadcast is in great hands with Tom Helmer," Rubick said. "I met Tom earlier this summer and when you look at his resume he is a pro's pro. He brings a lot of insight to football along with an outstanding personality. I'm looking forward to working with him and I think that our listeners will be very pleased with his style in Shep's absence."
"I'm thrilled that Shep is coming back to WEMU once the Tigers season is complete," continued Rubick. "We have almost 20 years together doing EMU football, so I'm looking forward to it. The ability and opportunity that Matt gives me as an analyst to excel is second to none.
WEMU will continue to serve as the FM flagship and originating station for EMU football and basketball broadcasts. In 2019-20, WEMU will broadcast more than 50 live games, as well as interviews and stories during WEMU's news programs.
Listeners in eight counties can catch Eagles' games on 89.1 FM. As a public radio station with a large broad-based audience, WEMU's signal extends from Washtenaw County to the Detroit metropolitan and Toledo, Ohio markets. The broadcasts are also streamed live on WEMU.org, and WEMU's free Android and iPhone applications (available through iTunes).
"In my 20-year tenure covering Eastern Michigan football, it is usually the offense that people are looking forward to seeing heading into the season," Rubick mentioned. "This Eastern defense will be the driving force for the Eagles throughout the season. They have a lot of experience in the secondary, the linebackers will be solid, and even with the changes upfront the line will be able to get it done as the offense matures. I think this will will definitely be an Eastern team that will compete for a championship."
The 2019 EMU football season will feature a year-long series of events, initiatives, and programming centered around fans, student-athletes, and the community. The celebration will salute the five decades of student-athletes that have played inside Rynearson Stadium as well as the more than 2.8 million fans who have passed through the turnstiles to watch one of the 252 home games in the venue. Furthermore, the College Football 150th Anniversary celebration will be recognized at all divisions of the collegiate game during the 2019 season.
Fans can now order reserved non-chairback season tickets for just $90 ($18 per game). EMU faculty and staff can secure season tickets for $70 ($14 per game), while youth season tickets are just $50 ($10 per game). In addition, EMU continues to offer the Ultimate Fan Season Ticket Plan for $150 ($30 per game). The premiere plan includes a padded chairback seat and VIP parking in the Convocation Center lots.
Buying a season ticket is your best deal as you will save 38 percent when compared to the single-game rate. Tickets are now on sale at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office.
"We are delighted to welcome Tom to the WEMU broadcast team," said Molly Motherwell, the General Manager of WEMU. "His experience and enthusiasm are a great fit for us. We're also thrilled to have our longtime announcer, Matt Shepard, back for the Mid-American Conference season. He, Tom, and Rob are a great crew."
Helmer, a native of Saline, Mich., will contribute in numerous ways during the 2019 campaign including play-by-play, reporting, and contributing to the Eastern Insider Podcast. A veteran with 23 years with of experience, Helmer has worked the sidelines for FOX NFL Sunday, hosted the Colorado Rockies' pre-and-postgame shows, and hosted various studio shows involving the Denver Broncos as well as college football, basketball, and hockey.
Shepard, who became the primary play-by-play voice of the Detroit Tigers prior to the 2019 season, will re-join Eastern's broadcast team after the Tigers' season is completed. Shepard first handled EMU football play-by-play duties during the 1999 season. He returned in 2002 and held the post ever since.
Meanwhile, the 2019 campaign will be the 20th year for Rubick as part of the EMU broadcast team. Following a seven-year career as a tight end with the Detroit Lions, Rubick has established himself as a superb analyst, providing detailed and pertinent commentary from an insider's perspective.
"I grew up seven miles from Rynearson Stadium," mentioned Helmer. "The first college game I ever attended was at Eastern Michigan. I don't feel like I'm accepting a job, I feel like I'm reuniting with family. Knowing that EMU is building something special, to be asked to be the voice of that program is a dream come true for me."
Helmer began his career in Los Angeles, Calif. as a producer for nightly sports reports, and has served in a multitude of roles throughout his career. He was a play-by-play voice for Fox Sports calling both Big 12 Conference and Pac 12 Conference games. Helmer has also been on the call for NCAA Division I men's and women's contests, Arena League Football games, and hosted the nationally televised Fox Sports Net Baseball Report, BCS Breakdown, and the BCS Ratings show.
Helmer won multiple Emmy Awards for Fox Sports Rocky Mountain and also one for KCAL-TV leading up to 1994 World Cup.
"I am honored and excited to return to the EMU football booth and help represent the school and WEMU," added Shepard. "Coach Creighton has given us unprecedented access and been incredible to work with. I am privileged to work with one of the best analysts in football and one of my best friends, Rob Rubick, along with the entire EMU football community."
Labeled the "busiest voice in Michigan sports," Shepard was the 2018 recipient of the Detroit Sports Media's Ty Tyson Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting. Born in Farmington Hills, Shepard is a two-time Emmy Award winner and two-times MSBA Michigan Sportscaster of the Year, on WDFN, Fox Sports Detroit, Big Ten Network, and the Detroit Lions Television Network covering professional, collegiate and high school sports in the Michigan and elsewhere since the 1990s.
A nearly lifelong Michigan resident, Shepard graduated from North Farmington High. He played baseball at North Farmington and was a baseball team walk-on at Eastern Michigan before transferring to Central Michigan University for his junior and senior college years.
Before being named the voice of the Tigers in 2019, Shep was a utility man at FSD doing everything from studio hosting, sideline and feature reporting, to play-by-play. He called CCHA Hockey on Fox, Big Ten Network hockey, MHSAA championships (football and basketball), and numerous other exciting games. He worked at WWJ-AM Radio from 1993-2001 and has hosted radio shows on WDFN-AM 1130 dating back to 2001. Previously, he stepped in for Tigers, Pistons, and Red Wings play-by-play when asked to.
"I welcome Tom Helmer to our broadcasts," Shepard said. "It shows you what an attractive position this is, when such a highly decorated and well-respected professional like Tom wants to return here and be part of this close-knit team."
Rubick was initially a football walk-on at Grand Valley State University before be became a starter at tight end during his freshman year. A native of Newberry, Mich., he played on the Laker's 1978 and 1981 GLIAC championship teams and in the 1978 NAIA Division I Football Championship Playoffs. He was the Laker career reception leader, catching 80 passes for 1,455 yards and 6 TDs. Rubick was named to the 1981 All-GLIAC Football Team. A 12th round draft pick in 1981, he went on to play seven years in the National Football League with the Lions.
Rubick's broadcasting resume includes analyst work for the Detroit Lions, Grand Valley State University, Detroit Fury, Mid-American Conference, and MHSAA game broadcasts. Rubick received a master's degree in education from EMU.
"In my opinion Matt Shepard is irreplaceable, but I feel the broadcast is in great hands with Tom Helmer," Rubick said. "I met Tom earlier this summer and when you look at his resume he is a pro's pro. He brings a lot of insight to football along with an outstanding personality. I'm looking forward to working with him and I think that our listeners will be very pleased with his style in Shep's absence."
"I'm thrilled that Shep is coming back to WEMU once the Tigers season is complete," continued Rubick. "We have almost 20 years together doing EMU football, so I'm looking forward to it. The ability and opportunity that Matt gives me as an analyst to excel is second to none.
WEMU will continue to serve as the FM flagship and originating station for EMU football and basketball broadcasts. In 2019-20, WEMU will broadcast more than 50 live games, as well as interviews and stories during WEMU's news programs.
Listeners in eight counties can catch Eagles' games on 89.1 FM. As a public radio station with a large broad-based audience, WEMU's signal extends from Washtenaw County to the Detroit metropolitan and Toledo, Ohio markets. The broadcasts are also streamed live on WEMU.org, and WEMU's free Android and iPhone applications (available through iTunes).
"In my 20-year tenure covering Eastern Michigan football, it is usually the offense that people are looking forward to seeing heading into the season," Rubick mentioned. "This Eastern defense will be the driving force for the Eagles throughout the season. They have a lot of experience in the secondary, the linebackers will be solid, and even with the changes upfront the line will be able to get it done as the offense matures. I think this will will definitely be an Eastern team that will compete for a championship."
The 2019 EMU football season will feature a year-long series of events, initiatives, and programming centered around fans, student-athletes, and the community. The celebration will salute the five decades of student-athletes that have played inside Rynearson Stadium as well as the more than 2.8 million fans who have passed through the turnstiles to watch one of the 252 home games in the venue. Furthermore, the College Football 150th Anniversary celebration will be recognized at all divisions of the collegiate game during the 2019 season.
Fans can now order reserved non-chairback season tickets for just $90 ($18 per game). EMU faculty and staff can secure season tickets for $70 ($14 per game), while youth season tickets are just $50 ($10 per game). In addition, EMU continues to offer the Ultimate Fan Season Ticket Plan for $150 ($30 per game). The premiere plan includes a padded chairback seat and VIP parking in the Convocation Center lots.
Buying a season ticket is your best deal as you will save 38 percent when compared to the single-game rate. Tickets are now on sale at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office.
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